Beverage carrier configured for use with luggage

ABSTRACT

There is provided a luggage assembly that provides convenient retention of a beverage container relative to an article of luggage. The luggage assembly includes an article of luggage, such as roller luggage, that includes an exterior feature, such as a selectively extendable handle. The luggage assembly also includes a beverage carrier for selectively receiving and retaining the beverage container. The beverage carrier comprises a sleeve with an inner surface that provides a frictional fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container to thereby retain the beverage container in the beverage carrier. The beverage carrier defines an open end at one axial end of the sleeve and an obstructed end at an opposite axial end of the sleeve. The beverage carrier further comprises a strap for selective attachment to the exterior feature of the article of luggage.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention are related to beverage carriers for holding beverage containers, and more particularly, to beverage carriers configured for use with articles of luggage.

2. Description of Related Art

Travelers in airports, train terminals, bus stations, and the like, as well as other individuals transporting items in general, often transport items in one or more articles of luggage. Depending upon the size, shape, and quantity of such luggage, the individual may have a difficult time carrying or manipulating additional objects, such as a beverage container.

Beverage carriers into which beverage containers may be selectively inserted and/or removed are currently available; however, such beverage carriers are not specifically intended for use with articles of luggage. For example, beverage carriers may include a drawstring portion that is adjacent the open end into which the beverage container is inserted to retain the beverage container within the beverage carrier by drawing the string. Such beverage carriers with a drawstring may be suspended from an article of luggage by only the string itself. Therefore, such use of beverage carriers with articles of luggage is often awkward or cumbersome, as they are often loosely retained relative to the article of luggage and thus may become disconnected or may inadvertently collide with other objects or individuals. Furthermore, such beverage carriers are also often difficult to manipulate when inserting or removing the beverage container. Therefore, a need exists for a luggage assembly and/or beverage carrier that provides convenient retention and access to a beverage container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention address the need for convenient retention of a beverage container with respect to an article of luggage. The luggage assembly and beverage carrier of the present invention includes a sleeve that defines a predetermined internal dimension that provides a friction fit between an inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container. The beverage carrier also includes a strap for secure and selective attachment to an exterior feature of an article of luggage, such as the extendable handle of roller luggage. The sleeve of the beverage carrier may include foam or other insulator to insulate the beverage container. Therefore, the luggage assembly and beverage carrier of the present invention provide convenient retention of a beverage container relative to an article of luggage.

A luggage assembly of one embodiment includes an article of luggage that defines at least one exterior feature, such as roller luggage, with a selectively extendable handle in some embodiments of the present invention. The luggage assembly also includes a beverage carrier for selectively receiving and retaining a beverage container. The beverage carrier includes a sleeve with an inner surface that defines a predetermined internal dimension that provides a friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container. The inner surface of the sleeve defines a circular cross-section or a polygonal cross-section in various embodiments of the present invention. The beverage carrier also comprises an open end at a first axial end of the sleeve and an obstructed end at a second axial end of the sleeve such that the beverage container is allowed to pass into and out of the sleeve through the open end but is obstructed from passing into and out of the sleeve through the obstructed end. In addition, the open end defines a perimeter dimension that generally retains a consistent length such that the friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outside surface of the beverage container selectively retains the beverage container in the sleeve. The beverage carrier also includes a strap that is configured for selective attachment to the exterior feature of the article of luggage.

Further embodiments of the present invention include a beverage carrier with a strap that defines an adjustable length, such as a strap with two portions and a hook-and-loop fabric fastener for defining the adjustable length. Alternative embodiments of the present invention include a strap with a first end joined to the sleeve and a second end that along with the outer surface of the sleeve define a hook-and-loop fabric fastener to define the adjustable length. Still further embodiments of the present invention comprise a foam material in the sleeve to substantially insulate the beverage container. Additional embodiments of the present invention define a tricot material as the inner surface of the sleeve that creates the frictional fit with the outside surface of the beverage container. These and further embodiments of the present invention provide a luggage assembly that allows convenient and accessible retention of a beverage container relative to an article of luggage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a beverage carrier of one embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a beverage container that has been selectively inserted into the sleeve of the beverage carrier;

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of the beverage carrier of FIG. 1, illustrating the tricot material of the inner surface of the sleeve;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a luggage assembly of the present invention that includes the beverage carrier of FIG. 1, illustrating the beverage carrier selectively attached to the selectively extendable handle of the roller luggage;

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a luggage assembly of the present invention that includes the beverage carrier of FIG. 1, illustrating the beverage carrier selectively attached to the selectively extendable handle of the roller luggage

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a beverage carrier of a second embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a strap that defines a first portion joined to the sleeve and a second portion that, along with the outer surface of the sleeve, defines a hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly therebetween; and

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of a beverage carrier of a third embodiment of the present invention, illustrating a strap that defines an elastic material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments described and shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a luggage assembly 10 of one embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the luggage assembly 10 includes an article of luggage 12 that comprises a single article of roller luggage that includes an exterior feature 14 that comprises a selectively extendable handle. Further embodiments of the present invention comprises alternative articles of luggage, such as differently shaped roller luggage, non-rolling luggage, duffle bags, or the like to list non-limiting examples of alternative articles of luggage. The luggage assembly 10 also comprises a beverage carrier 20 for selectively receiving and retaining a beverage container 22. The illustrated beverage container 22, 122, and 222 of FIGS. 1 and 3-6 comprises a plastic 24 ounce water bottle that defines a generally cylindrical shape; however, the illustrated embodiments and further embodiments of the present invention are configured to selectively receive and retain beverage containers of any material, of any size, of any shape, and containing any beverage.

Referring now to FIG. 1, the beverage carrier 20 comprises a sleeve 24 that extends in a generally axial direction from a first axial end 26 to a second axial end 28 opposite the first axial end. The beverage container 22 is retained in the sleeve 24 by a friction fit between an outside surface of the beverage container and an inner surface of the sleeve 24. The sleeve 24 defines an inner surface 30 and an outer surface 32 opposite the inner surface, as shown in FIG. 2. The inner surface 30 of the sleeve 24 defines a predetermined internal dimension for providing the friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outside surface of the beverage container 22. For the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, the predetermined internal dimension of the inner surface 30 is an internal cross-sectional perimeter that is approximately nine inches. The outside surface of the beverage container 22 defines a cross-sectional perimeter that is slightly larger than the approximately nine inches of the internal cross-sectional perimeter of the inner surface 30 of the sleeve 24 but not so large that the beverage container can not be inserted into the sleeve. Therefore, when an individual selectively inserts the beverage container 22 into the sleeve 24, the inner surface 30 of the sleeve conforms to the shape of the outside surface of the beverage container and maintains a friction fit with the outside surface of the beverage container. The inner surface 30 of the sleeve 24 defines a circular cross-section; however, further embodiments of the present invention comprise inner surfaces that define alternative cross-sections, such as polygonal cross-sections (such as triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. to list non-limiting examples of polygonal cross-sections), elliptical cross-sections, or the like to list non-limiting examples. However, the circular cross-section of the inner surface 30 of sleeve 24 of FIGS. 1-4 is deformable such that the beverage carrier 20 is able to selectively receive beverage containers 22 having non-circular cross-sections, such as square or elliptical beverage containers of generally the same size, to list non-limiting examples. The term cross-section as used herein is the cross-section of the sleeve taken along the axis of the sleeve 24, which extends from the first axial end 26 to the second axial end 28 of the sleeve or the cross-section of the beverage container 22 taken along its axis.

The inner surface 30 of the beverage carrier 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a tricot material, as best shown in FIG. 2, that is a warp-knitted fabric, such as nylon, wool, rayon, cotton, silk, or the like to list non-limiting examples of fabric. Further embodiments of the present invention comprise alternative materials, including but not limited to plastic, rubber, or composite materials, for the inner surface of the beverage carrier. The sleeve 24 of the beverage container 20 of FIGS. 1-4 also comprises a foam material between the inner surface 30 of the sleeve and the outer surface 32 of the sleeve. The foam material is configured to substantially insulate the beverage container 22 when the beverage container is retained in the beverage carrier 20, and the foam material in a non-compressed state may define any thickness, such as one-eighth of an inch to provide one non-limiting example, and any material as desired to insulate the beverage container. When the beverage container 20 is selectively inserted into the beverage carrier, the inner surface 30 of the sleeve 24 contacts the outside surface of the beverage container 22 based upon the predetermined internal dimension of the sleeve, and if the foam is compressed during the insertion of the beverage container, the resilience of the foam provides an amount of pressure on the interface of the inner surface of the sleeve and the outside surface of the beverage container. Tension in the tricot material of the inner surface 30 of the sleeve 24 of FIGS. 1-4 also provides an amount of pressure on the outside surface of the beverage container. The predetermined internal dimension of the sleeve 24 takes into account the deformation of the inner surface 30 and/or foam material during the insertion, retention, and/or removal of the beverage container 22, and the predetermined internal dimension is sized such that a friction fit is provided between the inner surface of the sleeve and the outside surface of the beverage container.

The friction fit provided between the inner surface 30 of the sleeve 24 and the outside surface of the beverage container 22 of the illustrated embodiments provides a retention force that is sufficient to allow the beverage container to remain within the sleeve if the beverage carrier is turned upside down and/or shaken vigorously. The retention force of the friction fit of the illustrated embodiments is so large that only by pulling the beverage container relative to the beverage carrier can the beverage container be removed from the beverage carrier. Therefore, the beverage carrier 20 of the present invention may be selectively attached to an article of luggage 12 in substantially any orientation relative to the article of luggage without the beverage container 22 becoming inadvertently removed from the beverage carrier. In addition, the friction fit provided by the illustrated embodiments of the present invention and the secure attachment of the beverage carrier to the article of luggage prevent the beverage container from becoming inadvertently removed from the article of luggage as the luggage assembly is oriented in various ways during positioning on and off of conveyor belts, transferring into and out of vehicles, or other handling of the luggage assembly.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first axial end 26 of the sleeve 24 comprises a rim material to provide structural support and/or provide durability for the beverage carrier. The rim material may be any material suitable for supporting and/or protecting the sleeve 24. The beverage carrier 20 comprises an open end 36 defined by the first axial end 26 of the sleeve. The beverage container 22 is selectively inserted into and removed from the beverage carrier 20 through the open end 36. Therefore, the first axial end 26 of the beverage carrier 20 defines a perimeter dimension that generally retains a consistent length and that allows passage of the beverage container into and out of the sleeve through the first axial end such that the beverage container is retained in the sleeve substantially by the friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container. For the beverage container 22 of FIGS. 1-4 having an outside surface with a cross-sectional perimeter of approximately nine inches, the perimeter dimension of the first axial end 26 of the beverage carrier 20 defines a generally consistent length of more than nine inches such that the beverage container is allowed to pass through the first axial end without generating a significant amount of friction when the beverage container is generally axially aligned with the sleeve 24 of the beverage carrier. Still further embodiments of the present invention comprise perimeter dimensions of the first axial end and predetermined internal dimensions of the sleeve having alternative lengths to selectively receive and retain beverage containers of alternative sizes, such as 12 ounces, 36 ounces, 48 ounces, 1.5 liters, or the like to lists non-limiting examples; alternative shapes, such as square, elliptical, polygonal, or the like to list non-limiting examples; or alternative contours of the beverage container.

The beverage carrier 20 of FIGS. 1 and 2 also comprises an obstructed end 38 that is defined by the second axial end 28 of the sleeve 24. The obstructed end 38 of the beverage carrier substantially obstructs passage of the beverage container 22 into and out of the sleeve 24 through the second axial end 28; therefore, the beverage container 22 of FIGS. 1 and 2 may only be inserted into, or removed out of, the sleeve through the open end 36 defined by the first axial end 26. The obstructed end 38 of the beverage carrier 20 comprises a complete enclosure of the second axial end 28 by a material substantially equivalent to the materials comprising the sleeve 24. Further embodiments of the present invention comprise beverage carriers with alternative obstructed ends that completely enclose the second axial end with materials that are not substantially equivalent to the materials comprising the sleeve and/or that only partially enclose the second axial end an amount sufficient to obstruct passage of the beverage container into and out of the sleeve through the second axial end.

The beverage carrier 20 of FIGS. 1-4 also comprises a strap 40 that is joined to the sleeve 24. The strap 40 of FIGS. 1-4 comprises a first portion 42 that is joined to the sleeve 24 proximate the first axial end 26, a second portion 44 that is joined to the sleeve proximate the second axial end 28, and a hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly 46 therebetween. The first and second portions 42 and 44 of strap 40 of FIGS. 1-4 are stitched to the outer surface 32 of the sleeve 24; however, further embodiments of the present invention join the strap by alternative joining techniques or are integral to the sleeve and/or the strap portions are joined to the sleeve at alternative locations that may or may not be proximate an axial end. The hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly 46 of the strap 40 of FIGS. 1-4 defines the adjustable length of the strap because the first and second strap portions 42 and 44 may be connected to one another at various locations by the hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly to define different lengths of the strap. The hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly 46 of the illustrated embodiments comprises VELCRO® which is available from Velcro USA Inc. of Manchester, N.H. Further embodiments of the present invention comprise alternative hook-and-loop fabric fastener assemblies or comprise alternative devices for providing a strap that comprises one or more portions to define an adjustable length.

Turning now to the beverage carrier 120 of FIG. 5, the strap 140 comprises a first portion 142 that is fed through a loop device 148, such as a D-ring to list one non-limiting example, and a second portion 144 opposite the loop device of the first portion. The second portion 144 of the strap is joined to the outer surface 132 of the sleeve 124 by a hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly 146. The hook portion of the hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly 146 is attached to the second portion 144 of the strap 140 and the loop portion of the hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly is attached to the outer surface 130 of the sleeve 124, or vice versa, such that the length of the strap is adjustable by relocating the second portion of the strap relative to the outer surface of the sleeve. The beverage carrier 220 of FIG. 6 illustrates yet another strap 240 that defines an adjustable length. The strap 240 is joined to the outer surface of the sleeve 224 and defines an elastic material. The elastic material of the strap 240 allows the beverage carrier 220 to be conveniently attached to the exterior feature of the article of luggage by stretching the strap around a portion of the exterior feature without connecting and/or disconnecting portions of a strap.

Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, the luggage assembly 10 comprises an article of luggage 12, such as the illustrated roller luggage, that defines at least one exterior feature 14, such as the extendable handle that allows for convenient maneuverability of the roller luggage, to give non-limiting examples of an article of luggage and exterior feature. A beverage carrier 20 retaining a beverage container 22 is shown selectively attached to the exterior feature 14 by adjusting the length of the strap 140 while the beverage carrier is positioned proximate the exterior feature. For the luggage assembly 10 of FIGS. 1-4, the length of the strap 40 is adjusted by separating the first and second portions 42 and 44 and then re-connecting them such that the exterior feature 14 is situated between the strap and the sleeve 24 of the beverage carrier. Thus, the beverage carrier rests upon the top of the roller luggage and is retained by the selectively extendable handle and is therefore less likely to shift or otherwise interfere with the individual maneuvering the roller luggage or other individuals or objects. Further embodiments of the present invention are selectively attached to alternative exterior features of the article of luggage.

The outer surface 32 of the beverage carrier 10 of the illustrated embodiments comprises a high tenacity textured nylon fiber material such as CORDURA® available from Invista of Wichita, Kans.; however, further embodiments of the present invention comprise alternative materials for the outer surface of the beverage carrier. For the luggage assembly 10 of FIGS. 1-4, the article of luggage 12 also comprises an exterior material 52 of high tenacity textured nylon fiber material such that the exterior material of the article of luggage is substantially equivalent to the exterior material of the outer surface 32 of the beverage carrier 10, thus providing a matching set. Further embodiments of the present invention comprise articles of luggage and beverage carriers that define dissimilar materials.

The luggage assembly 10 of the present invention provides for convenient selective retention of a beverage container 22 in a beverage carrier 20, such as an insulated beverage carrier, and convenient selective attachment of the beverage carrier to an article of luggage 12. The beverage container 22 is selectively inserted into and removed from the sleeve 24 of the beverage carrier 20 by an individual pushing and/or pulling the beverage container and beverage carrier relative to one another. A friction fit is provided between the inner surface 30 of the sleeve 24 and the outside surface of the beverage container 22 such that the beverage container does not inadvertently slide out of the beverage carrier 20 and is thus selectively retained by the beverage carrier. The beverage carrier 20, with or without a retained beverage container 22, may also be selectively attached to an exterior feature 14 of an article of luggage 12 by adjusting the length of the strap 40 when the beverage carrier is proximate to the exterior feature such that the strap substantially retains the beverage carrier in a generally fixed position relative to the exterior feature of the article of luggage. As the opposite ends of the strap 40 are attached to the sleeve 24 proximate the opposite ends of the sleeve, respectively, an opening is defined between the strap and the outer surface 32 of the sleeve for receiving the exterior feature 14 of the article of luggage 12. The strap 40 has a length, or is adjustable to have a length, such that the exterior feature 14 of the article of luggage 12 is received in the opening with a relatively tight or close fit. Accordingly, the engagement of the exterior feature 14 in the opening of the strap 40 is effective to substantially prevent rotation of the beverage carrier 20 relative to the exterior feature so that an individual can grasp the top of the beverage container 22 and pull the beverage container in a direction along the axis of the sleeve 24 so as to remove the beverage container from the sleeve without necessarily having to grasp the beverage carrier with the other hand. Further embodiments of the present invention may insert, attach, and otherwise manipulate the various components of the luggage assembly to achieve the advantages of the present invention.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Terms are used in a generic and descriptive sense and should not be used for purposes of limiting the scope of the invention except by reference to the claims and the prior art. 

1. A luggage assembly for use with a beverage container, the luggage assembly comprising: an article of luggage defining at least one exterior feature; a beverage carrier for selectively receiving and retaining the beverage container, the beverage carrier comprising: a sleeve extending in a generally axial direction from a first axial end to a second axial end opposite the first axial end, wherein the sleeve defines an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and wherein the sleeve defines a predetermined internal dimension for providing a friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container; an open end defined by the first axial end of the sleeve, wherein the first axial end of the sleeve defines a perimeter dimension that generally retains a consistent length to allow passage of the beverage container into and out of the sleeve through the first axial end such that the beverage container is retained in the sleeve substantially by the friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container; an obstructed end defined by the second axial end of the sleeve such that passage of the beverage container into and out of the sleeve through the second axial end is substantially obstructed; and a strap joined to the sleeve, wherein the strap is configured for selective attachment to the exterior feature of the article of luggage.
 2. A luggage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the strap defines an adjustable length.
 3. A luggage assembly according to claim 2 wherein the strap comprises a first portion and a second portion that define a hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly therebetween for defining the adjustable length of the strap.
 4. A luggage assembly according to claim 2 wherein the strap defines a first end joined to the sleeve and a second end opposite the first end and wherein the second end of the strap and the outer surface of the sleeve define a hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly therebetween for defining the adjustable length of the strap.
 5. A luggage assembly according to claim 2 wherein the strap defines an elastic material.
 6. A luggage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the sleeve defines a circular cross-section.
 7. A luggage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the sleeve defines a polygonal cross-section.
 8. A luggage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the sleeve comprises a foam material configured to substantially insulate the beverage container.
 9. A luggage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the inner surface of the sleeve defines a tricot material.
 10. A luggage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the article of luggage defines an exterior material and the outer surface of the beverage carrier defines an exterior material, and wherein the exterior material of the article of luggage is substantially equivalent to the exterior material of the outer surface of the beverage carrier.
 11. A luggage assembly according to claim 1 wherein the article of luggage comprises roller luggage and wherein the exterior feature comprises a selectively extendable handle.
 12. A beverage carrier configured for use with an article of luggage for retaining a beverage container relative to the article of luggage by selectively receiving and retaining the beverage container, the beverage carrier comprising: a sleeve extending in a generally axial direction from a first axial end to a second axial end opposite the first axial end, wherein the sleeve defines an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and wherein the sleeve defines a predetermined internal dimension for providing a friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container; an open end defined by the first axial end of the sleeve, wherein the first axial end of the sleeve defines a perimeter dimension that generally retains a consistent length to allow passage of the beverage container into and out of the sleeve through the first axial end such that the beverage container is retained in the sleeve substantially by the friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container; an obstructed end defined by the second axial end of the sleeve such that passage of the beverage container into and out of the sleeve through the second axial end is substantially obstructed; and a strap joined to the sleeve, wherein the strap is configured for selective attachment to the exterior feature of the article of luggage.
 13. A luggage assembly according to claim 12 wherein the strap defines an adjustable length.
 14. A luggage assembly according to claim 13 wherein the strap comprises a first portion and a second portion that define a hook-and-loop fabric fastener assembly therebetween for defining the adjustable length of the strap.
 15. A luggage assembly according to claim 12 wherein the inner surface of the sleeve defines a circular cross-section.
 16. A luggage assembly according to claim 12 wherein the sleeve comprises a foam material configured to substantially insulate the beverage container.
 17. A luggage assembly according to claim 12 wherein the inner surface of the sleeve defines a tricot material.
 18. A method of retaining a beverage container relative to an article of luggage, the method comprising: inserting a beverage container into a beverage carrier, wherein the beverage carrier comprises a sleeve extending in a generally axial direction from a first axial end to a second axial end opposite the first axial end, wherein the sleeve defines an inner surface and an outer surface opposite the inner surface and wherein the sleeve defines a predetermined internal dimension for providing a friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container, an open end defined by the first axial end of the sleeve that defines a perimeter dimension that generally retains a consistent length to allow a beverage container to be retained in the sleeve substantially by the friction fit between the inner surface of the sleeve and an outside surface of the beverage container, and an obstructed end defined by the second axial end of the sleeve that substantially obstructs passage of the beverage container into and out of the sleeve; and attaching the beverage carrier to an exterior feature of the article of luggage, wherein the beverage carrier comprises a strap joined to the sleeve and the strap attaches to the exterior feature of the article of luggage.
 19. A method according to claim 18 wherein attaching the beverage carrier comprises attaching a first portion of the strap to a second portion of the strap with a hook-and-loop fabric fastener.
 20. A method according to claim 18 wherein attaching the beverage carrier comprises attaching a strap of adjustable length around a selectively extendable handle of an article of luggage comprising roller luggage. 